BMN Chapter 35 (Patreon)

Chapter 35: Recruiting New Dependents

"Lord Bai Luo?"

Shortly after, Benimaru and the other three followed Ogerpon into Bai Luo's wooden house, kneeling respectfully on the floor.

The four had intended to ask why Bai Luo had summoned them, but the moment they looked up, they noticed a change in him.

This?!

Such a powerful aura!

Lord Bai Luo, how did he become so much stronger all of a sudden?

Bai Luo's evolution left Benimaru and the others in shock. They knew that monsters underwent a metamorphosis called evolution after breaking through a bottleneck, but Bai Luo's evolution had been far too quiet.

The four had just seen Bai Luo a short while ago. Now, only an hour or two later, Bai Luo's aura had elevated from his previous entry-level B-rank to its current state.

The difference between 10,000 and 9,999 magicules was only 1 point, but the feeling that this single point gave the Ogres was tangible, oppressive pressure.

"Oh, my apologies. I almost forgot." Bai Luo reined in the magicules he was still struggling to control after his evolution, then maintained his presence at the level of a B-rank monster.

This made the Ogres feel much more comfortable. At the same time, they thought of a reason for Bai Luo's sudden increase in strength.

Lord Bai Luo, has he been hiding his power all this time?

No wonder!

Benimaru thought to himself, How could a mere B-rank monster possibly cast magic of such catastrophic power? If he was concealing his aura, then it's not surprising at all.

Growing more certain of his theory, Benimaru began speculating on Bai Luo's true strength. A-rank? That was a given—the oppressive feeling from the magicules he'd just released had already reached A-rank.

However, Benimaru felt this was likely not the full extent of Bai Luo's power.

Could it be that Lord Bai Luo is Special A-rank?

Once this idea emerged, Benimaru could no longer suppress it. That's right—even Lady Ogerpon has A-rank power, so Lord Bai Luo, whom she follows, must be an even more powerful existence.

Special A-rank. This was the most powerful existence Benimaru could imagine. Anything higher would be a legendary Demon Lord.

"Don't be nervous. I called you here because there's something I'd like to discuss with you." Bai Luo soothed their emotions, then spoke in a gentle tone. "I would like you to become my dependents. I wonder if you're willing?"

"Dependents?"

"Ah, just like Pon-Pon." Bai Luo thought for a moment, then explained it in terms they could understand. "You can think of it as followers, or perhaps 'retainers.'"

Possessing the Unique Skill 【Catcher】, and with his current strength surpassing the four of them, he could actually capture them by force. But for one, Bai Luo disliked compelling others. And two, he hoped to gain subordinates who were truly loyal to him.

"Dependents are different from ordinary followers—they are more like my companions."

Bai Luo didn't tell the four about the benefits of becoming a dependent; instead, he simply described the relationship between them. In his view, the relationship between him and his dependents should not be tainted by self-interest. Saying something like "become my dependents and you will become stronger" beforehand would only stain this oath, making it less pure.

"I am willing!"

The first to speak was not Benimaru or Souei, but Shuna.

"To become a companion to Lady Ogerpon is my honor." Shuna continued, "Besides, if Lord Bai Luo hadn't intervened back then, I would have already died in the mouth of that insect monster. I can never repay the debt of saving my life."

"I am not a person of great talent, but I am willing to serve by your side."

After speaking, Shuna gracefully bowed, paying her respects to Bai Luo.

"Uh..." Bai Luo hesitated slightly, but he did not refuse. Regardless of the reason, Shuna's desire to repay his kindness was sincere, and that was enough.

"Ahem, that is, you don't have to be like this. Once you become my dependent, we will be family from now on."

With that, Bai Luo revealed a smile. "Then, welcome to the family."

"That's so cunning." Seeing that Bai Luo was truly willing to accept Shuna, Shion turned to Benimaru apologetically. "I'm sorry, Young Master. I also wish to become Lord Bai Luo's dependent."

"I understand."

Although Benimaru was called Young Master by the Ogres and was the future heir of the village, this was only in name. At least, Shion and Souei had not yet formally pledged their allegiance to Benimaru to become his retainers.

If one were to be precise, the four of them were childhood friends who had grown up together—more like comrades than master and servants.

Shion's reason for choosing to follow was the same as Shuna's. At that time, the two girls had been in a desperate situation. It was Bai Luo and Ogerpon who had intervened, allowing them to survive.

The debt of saving a life was greater than heaven itself. Now that Bai Luo wanted to recruit them, what reason did Shion have to refuse?

Moreover, Bai Luo had said it himself: what he wanted were trustworthy companions, not slaves. This sincerity alone was enough to move many of the Ogres, let alone Shuna and Shion, who owed Bai Luo their lives.

"May I ask, Lord Bai Luo, what do you plan to do?"

The one who spoke was the usually taciturn Souei. He wasn't actually against following Bai Luo. The Ogres had always been active as mercenaries throughout the Great Jura Forest, and becoming Bai Luo's retainer wasn't fundamentally different from being a mercenary—the latter was temporary, while the former was a lifelong commitment requiring absolute loyalty.

Bai Luo's strength, Ogerpon's power—this fit the monsters' need to follow the strong.

Of course, if that were all, the Majin Gelmud from the original story wouldn't have been rebuffed by the Ogres. 

What truly moved Souei was Bai Luo's description of what a dependent meant: not slaves or underlings, but family.

If it were a Bai Luo like this, Souei was willing to serve him as his lord and offer him his loyalty.

"My future plans..." Bai Luo said, "Probably to accumulate strength, and then become a Demon Lord."

Demon Lord!!

Hearing these two words, the four present all revealed expressions of shock.

"You... you harbor such an ambition?"

Souei's face was grave, but his tone was extremely sincere. "I am willing to become your shadow and help you achieve the great work of a Demon Lord!!"

To find a lord of such caliber and be willing to die for him—this was the future Souei had dreamed of!

"A shadow..." Seeing Souei's serious expression, Bai Luo could only nod. "Alright, then I'll be counting on you from now on."

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